Kids at Work

I have memories of visiting my Paw Paw at “the shop.”

My grandpa was a contractor and master plaster in New Orleans. He purchased a large commercial building in which he rented out to small businesses. But he would do all the work on the property.

As a young child, I would sometimes spend the day with my grandma. And often, she would make Paw Paw a sandwich, and drive by the building to deliver it to him, and talk to him a bit.

There were tools, paint, plaster, wood everywhere. A true job site.

As an adult, I love looking back on those memories. Imagine myself there again. Transporting myself back into that actual space.

I would have never known then, as a child, how important and informative that memory would be for me now.

Yesterday evening, I worked in and out of the studio.

The studio is a glorious mess.

It’s where I create my most expressionistic paintings, providing me a lot of physical space to act impulsively and create spontaneously.

I’ve recently created a space outside the studio in my office / gallery to work on more concentrated pieces, sitting at an easel.

I’ve stacked several canvases in my gallery, and was smitten to find my son playing with his Paw Patrol toys in the middle of my stacked works in progress.

Not in a million years would I have imagined I’d be an artist, painting seriously. And I could have never imagined how special it would be to share that with my little one.

Last night was a full circle moment, a connection with a dear loved one, who has passed on; but is still with me, inside of me even, reminding me, I can do anything.

Anything I put my mind to, and willing to work for.

Wishing you a great day.

Always,

AVM